John Martin Law

John Martin Law died September 10, 2013 at the age of 95. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of Maude Lininger Law and Clyde Otis Law, the first West Virginia graduate of the Harvard Business School. John was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and received an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. He served 5 years in the U.S. Navy including service during the Second World War and was discharged as Lieutenant Commander. John came to Atlanta in 1953 as the General Agent for Northwestern Mutual and established their office in Atlanta serving the Southeast. He continued to build its reach and presence until his retirement in 1978. John served as President of the Atlanta Life Underwriters Association; the Atlanta chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters; the Atlanta General Agents and Managers Association; the Northwestern Mutual Life Association of Agents; and was a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

As a member of Northside United Methodist Church, John served as the Chairman of the Administrative Board and the Board of Trustees, and was a member of the Finance Committee. He was a charter member of the Commerce Club and a Life member of the Atlanta Athletic Club.

His first wife, Virginia Thomas Law, preceded him in death. Survivors include: his wife, Lillian Balentine Law; daughters Barbara Leonard, Atlanta, Ruth Ball (David), Mobile, Alabama, and Nancy Stewart (Sam), Atlanta; son, John Thomas Law, Marietta; grandchildren Jessica Perkins (Jeff), Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Christopher Ball (Niki), Golden, Colorado, Jeff Leonard, Jr. (Robin), Perry, Georgia, Kelly Leonard, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Mackenzie Williams (Justin), Atlanta, and Morgan Stewart, Atlanta; great-grandchildren Talley Perkins, Maisie Perkins, Tate Perkins, Reeves Ball, Azilee Ball, Wilt Leonard, Law Leonard, and Ruthie Williams; niece Nancy Jo Pepper, Selbyville, Delaware; nephew James Funk, York, PA; stepsons Robert M. Balentine (Betty) and F. Alexander Balentine (Nancy), Atlanta; and step-grandchildren Elizabeth Gurley, Emily Barbour, Mac Balentine, Julie Balentine and Chandler Balentine.

A memorial service will be held at Northside United Methodist Church on September 13, 2013 at 11:00 AM. The family will receive guests after the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Health Center, 1015 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, or the charity of your choice.